May June 29, 1865-Nov. 14, 1866.-Operations in Texas and on the Rio Grande. 2, 1865.-Operations about Fort Rice, Dak. Ter. 3, 1865.-Maj. Gen. Edward R. S. Canby, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Department of the Gulf. Skirmish with Indians at Dry Creek, Dak. Ter. 4-10, 1865.-Operations against Indians near Fort Collins, Colo. Ter. 8-14, 1865.—Attack by Indians on the Overland Stage Road in Kansas and 10, 1865.-Col. John D. Allen, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, assumes command of the District of Southwest Missouri. 12-July 5, 1865.-Expedition to the Platte and Niobrara Rivers. 13-17, 1865.-Scout from Camp Nichols, N. Mex., with action (14th) on the Santa Fé Road. 14, 1865.-Action with Indians at Horse Creek, Dak. Ter. Col. Carroll H. Potter, Sixth U. S. Volunteer Infantry, assumes 15-22, 1865.-Scout from Fort Sumner to the Oscura Mountains, N. Mex. Skirmish on Dead Man's Fork, Dak. Ter. 17-19, 1865.—Expedition from Denver, Colo. Ter., to Fort Halleck, Dak. Ter. 20, 1865.—Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, assumes command of Brig. Gen. James A. Williamson, U. S. Army, assigned to the command of the District of Saint Louis. 20-Oct. 7, 1865.-The Powder River Indian Expedition. 21, 1865.—Brig. Gen. James C. Veatch, U. S. Army, assigned to command of forces in West Louisiana. 22, 1865.-Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith, U. S. Army, relieved from command of the District of Vicksburg, Miss. 23, 1865.-Brig. Gen. Thomas J. McKean, U. S. Army, assumes command of the District of Southwest Missouri. 24, 1865.-The Department of Mississippi created, embracing the State of Mississippi, and Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum, U. S. Army, assigned to its command. 24-30, 1865.-Operations about Rock Creek Station and Seven Mile Creek, Dak. Ter. 25, 1865.-Bvt. Brig. Gen. Chester Harding, jr., Forty-third Missouri Infantry, relinquishes command of the District of Central Missouri. 26, 1865. The Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, ordered from Louisville, Ky., to Little Rock, Ark. 26, 1865.—Bvt. Brig. Gen. John L. Boveridge, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, Brig. Gen. John Newton, U. S. Army, assigned to command the June 26-29, 1865.-The Fourth Army Corps arrives at New Orleans, en route to 27, 1865.-Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman assigned to the Military Division Col. David Moore, Fifty-first Missouri Infantry, assigned to com- 29, 1865.-Skirmish with Indians near Fort Dodge, Kans. 30, 1865.-Skirmish with Indians at Rock Creek, Dak. Ter. JANUARY 1-27, 1865.-Operations in Arkansas, including actions at Dardanelle (14th), Ivey's Ford (17th), and skirmish at Boggs' Mills (24th). REPORTS, ETC. No. 1.-Col. Abraham H. Ryan, Third Arkansas Cavalry (Union). No. 2.-Col. Thomas M. Bowen, Thirteenth Kansas Infantry, commanding U. S. transports, of operations January 17-24. No. 3.-Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder, C. S. Army, commanding District of Arkansas, of operations January 17-24. No. 1. Report of Col. Abraham H. Ryan, Third Arkansas Cavalry (Union). HEADQUARTERS POST LEWISBURG, Lewisburg, Ark., January 27, 1865. About the 1st day of January scouts reported a force of the enemy at Dardanelle and Beatty's Mill, near Petit Jean Creek. Scouting parties were sent to Galla Rock and Norristown to prevent the enemy from crossing to north side of river. On the 10th instant the enemy were reported as moving on Perryville, evidently for the purpose of crossing the Fourche la Fave at that place, en route south, or to move onto the river bank at some point between Lewisburg and Little Rock, for the purpose of capturing transports with supplies on the way to Fort Smith. To prevent either movement being successful, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, Eleventh U. S. Colored, with 150 men of his regiment, and detachment of Third Arkansas Cavalry, Captain Gibbons commanding, to Perryville. The cavalry arrived at that place on the morning of the 11th, and ascertained that the enemy were encamped within a few miles of that place, and that they could not reach Perryville on account of high water, Fourche la Fave bottom being overflowed. Lieutenant-Colonel Steele's command returned to Lewisburg on the evening of the 11th. On the night of the 12th instant I ordered Lieutenant Wylie, Third Arkansas Cavalry, to proceed with fifty dismounted men of the Third Arkansas Cavalry, and fifty infantry of the Eleventh U. S. Colored, on steamer Alamo, to land on west side of Petit Jean Creek; if the landing be effected safely, to send steamer, with flat-boats, to north side of river, to cross detachment of Third Arkansas Cavalry. The landing was effected safely, and cavalry crossed on morning of 13th. Same evening Major Jenks, First Iowa Cavalry, commanding detachment of dismounted men of Cavalry Division, Seventh Army Corps, namely, 276 men, reported for duty. They arrived on steamers Ad. Hines and Lotus. I ordered the major to proceed with steamers and his command up river till arriving at the Alamo, where he would learn from Lieutenant Wylie if it was safe for the steamers to proceed; if so, to disembark his command at Norristown, the steamers to push on to Fort Smith. At 10 p.m. the steamers Annie Jacobs and Chippewa arrived, with one section of the Second Kansas Battery,* Lieutenant Phillips commanding. I sent them forward immediately, with orders to report to Major Jenks, near Galla Rock. I had calculated that Lieutenant-Colonel Steele's movement toward Perryville would keep the enemy in that vicinity for a short time, and that before they would learn of his withdrawal and of the subsequent move up the river sufficient time would be gained to enable the boats to pass Dardanelle in safety. At the same time I felt assured the enemy would move onto the river at or above Dardanelle as soon as they learned of the boats passing Lewisburg, and unless checked at or near Dardanelle would overtake the boats before they could reach Spadra. The arrival of the section of artillery decided me in ordering Major Jenks to occupy Dardanelle with his command. He did so, landing his forces at 10 o'clock the morning of the 14th instant, the last of the fleet passing there at 12 m. At 2 o'clock same date the enemy, 1,500 strong, and one piece of artillery, under the command of Colonels Brooks, Stirman, and Newton, attacked the place. Major Jenks placed his men in the stockade, and after four hours' hard fighting the enemy withdrew, completely whipped. Our loss during the engagement was 1 killed, 15 wounded, and 2 missing. Enemy's loss, 1 commissioned officer killed, and about 80 men killed and wounded. Major Jenks speaks in the highest terms of the officers and men under his command, all doing gallant service. The artillery, under the direction of Lieutenant Phillips and Lieutenant Campbell, Third U.S. Cavalry (acting adjutant), being skillfully handled, firing 164 rounds. Expect ing the attack to be renewed next morning, Major Jenks called for re-enforcements and supply of ammunition. I immediately ordered Major Mason, with sixty men, Third Arkansas Cavalry, with supply of ammunition, to report to Major Jenks as soon as practicable; also Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, with 100 men, of the Eleventh U. S. Colored Infantry, in wagons, to follow as rapidly as possible; and, placing everything at Lewisburg in proper position, proceeded to Dardanelle, arriving there the same day. The enemy did not renew the attack, but proceeded up the south side of the river after the boats; but they were too late, the boats being beyond their reach. On the morning of the 15th instant Lieutenant-Colonel Cooper, with Fortieth Iowa Infantry and one section of Fifth Ohio Battery, arrived on steamer * Manned by Company B, Second Kansas Cavalry. from Little Rock and reported for duty, and were immediately set to work throwing up intrenchments. On the 15th scouts reported the enemy as re-enforced and approaching in four directions to attack on the morning of the 16th instant. Every preparation was made for their reception. On their arriving within twelve miles of our lines they retraced their steps, crossing the Petit Jean near Danville, moving in a southerly direction. On the 19th dispatches received from Colonel Judson, commanding U. S. forces at Clarksville, reporting the attack by the enemy on steamers near Ivey's Ford, and capture and destruction of the steamer Chippewa, and remainder of fleet in perilous position, on the morning of the 20th instant, at 4 o'clock, sent Captain Hamilton, with sixty men of the Third Arkansas Cavalry, to go through to the boats, render what assistance he could, and, if possible, bring any or all of them down. To cover this move I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Cooper, with Fortieth Iowa Infantry and one piece of artillery, to Chickalah; at same time sent force of fifty infantry to follow Captain Hamilton twelve miles and return. The movement was entirely successful, Colonel Cooper breaking up their rendezvous near Chickalah and destroying 1,200 bushels of wheat stored there for the use of the enemy. Captain Hamilton returned on the evening of the 21st instant, having met near the boats Colonel Williams' brigade of colored troops on way from Fort Smith to Little Rock. On the night of the 24th Newton's regiment returned to Boggs' Mills (twelve miles from Dardanelle) to grind flour and leave before sunrise. At midnight sent Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, with Eleventh U. S. Colored Infantry and detachment Third Arkansas Cavalry, who succeeded in surprising the command, capturing the flour, his papers, 18 horses, and 20 stand of arms. I remained at Dardanelle to cover the passage of Colonel Williams' brigade and train, and evacuated the place on the morning of the 27th instant. Major Jenks, commanding forces during the engagement of the 14th instant, is entitled to every praise for gallant conduct and the admirable manner in which he handled his troops on that occasion, and for prompt and faithful discharge of duty on all occasions. Captain Giesler, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, Captain Hamilton and Lieutenant Wylie, Third Arkansas Cavalry, and Lieutenant Campbell, Third U. S. Cavalry, are entitled to special mention as brave and efficient officers. Respectfully, your obedient servant, A. H. RYAN, Colonel Third Arkansas Cavalry, Commanding. Maj. JOHN LEVERING, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of Arkansas and Seventh Army Corps. ADDENDA. Medals of Honor awarded for distinguished services under Resolution of Congress, No. 43, approved July 12, 1862, and section 6 of Act of Congress approved March 3, 1863. No. 2. Report of Col. Thomas M. Bowen, Thirteenth Kansas Infantry, commanding U. S. transports, of operations January 17–24. LITTLE ROCK, ARK., January 24, 1865. In MAJOR: On the 17th instant steamers Lotus, Chippewa, Ad. Hines, and Annie Jacobs left Van Buren, Ark., each having on board a smalĺ scout under the command of a line officer. On board of each steamer were a large number of refugees, also quite a number of officers. On the Annie Jacobs, particularly, passengers and soldiers numbered about 500, en route for different localities via this place. The Chippewa had the advance, the Annie Jacobs was next, the Lotus followed, and the Ad. Hines brought up the rear. At about 4 p. m. on the 17th instant (Ivey's Ford. eighteen miles above Clarksville) the Chippewa was discovered about one mile in advance, lying at the south shore of the Arkansas, and a few moments later I was requested to examine her through a field glass, when I immediately discovered that she was on fire in her center on the main deck. I became at once satisfied of the presence of the enemy. Being the ranking officer on board, I at once assumed the direction of affairs, giving the pilot orders to put on all steam and go on, but the order had scarcely been given before the enemy opened on us with artillery. I ordered the pilot to round to and proceed up the river. By the time the direction of the boat had been changed we were opposite the first rebel gun. There being but little steam up, and it being impossible to get the boat out of the range of the guns in any reasonable time I directed the boat to be landed on the north shore, which was accomplished under the most galling fire of the enemy, having received fifteen shot and shell, which destroyed the heaters before we landed and three after we reached the shore. addition to the fire from the artillery a continuous fire from smallarms was poured into us from the commencement of the action. One shell burst in the front cabin, one immediately under the boiler, one at the right front of the pilot house, and two in the hold. The most indescribable confusion prevailed on board among the passengers, especially the female portion, and I ordered the landing of the boat, because it was impossible to get her out of range of the artillery, and had we been any considerable distance from the shore we would have floated into the hands of the enemy owing to the damage done to the machinery by the artillery, and for the further reason that I hoped to save the two boats which were behind. The Lotus, however, was so near that before we could warn her of the danger she was within range of the artillery, and she also landed on the north side of the river; when, fearing an attack from that side of the river, I proceeded up the beach with two men, and collected the disembarked soldiers of the Lotus, and marched them to the line formed on the bank by those who had disembarked from the Jacobs. Having restored order and made every possible preparation for the protection of the boats, I at once started a messenger up the river-bank with a dispatch to General Thayer and orders for the Ad. Hines not to approach, telling briefly of the danger, and sent to Clarksville for re-enforcements. I also ordered a forage train, which happened to be within a few miles, with an escort of over 100 men, to move to us at once; which order was promptly obeyed by Capt. Thomas Stevenson, of the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, commanding. |